Artificially-structured materials with smart elements

ABSTRACT

According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the earliest availableeffective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the“Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC § 119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)).

If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date ofthis application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Anyapplications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119,120, 121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc. applications of such applications, are alsoincorporated by reference, including any priority claims made in thoseapplications and any material incorporated by reference, to the extentsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

Priority Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/588,793, filed Nov. 20, 2017, for ARTIFICIALLY-STRUCTURED MATERIALSWITH SMART ELEMENTS, with inventor Roderick A. Hyde, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with thelistings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claimpriority to each application that appears in the DomesticBenefit/National Stage Information section of the ADS and to eachapplication that appears in the Priority Applications section of thisapplication. All subject matter of the Priority Applications and of anyand all applications related to the Priority Applications by priorityclaims (directly or indirectly), including any priority claims made andsubject matter incorporated by reference therein as of the filing dateof the instant application, is incorporated herein by reference to theextent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to artificially-structured materials includingan array of elements. Specifically, this disclosure relates to changingmaterial properties of an artificially-structured material by changingoperational properties of elements in an array of elements forming theartificially-structured material on a per-element basis.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, a system comprises an array ofelements forming an artificially-structured material. The system canalso comprise an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of thearray of elements. One or more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuningmechanisms can change material properties of the artificially-structuredmaterial by changing one or more operational parameters of one or moreelements of the array of elements on a per-element basis. The one ormore tuning mechanisms can change the one or more operational parametersof the one or more elements on a per-element basis in response tostimuli detected by one or more sensors in a plurality of sensorsincluded in the array of tuning mechanisms.

In various embodiments, one or more stimuli are detected by one or moresensors in a plurality of sensors included an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The array of elements can includean array of tuning mechanisms. Material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed using one or more tuningmechanisms in the array of tuning mechanisms by changing one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements on a per-elementbasis. The material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed in response to the one or more stimuli detected by theone or more sensors.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The system can also comprise anarray of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements andan array of programmable circuit modules. One or more tuning mechanismsof the array of tuning mechanisms can change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalparameters of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis. The one or more tuning mechanisms can change the oneor more operational parameters of the one or more elements on aper-element basis using one or more programmable circuit modules of theplurality of programmable circuit modules.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. The array ofelements can include an array of tuning mechanisms. Material propertiesof the artificially-structured material can be changed using one or moreprogrammable circuit modules of a plurality of programmable circuitmodules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms by changingone or more operational properties of the one or more elements on aper-element basis. The material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed as part of processingthe one or more waves of energy at the artificially-structured materialon a per-element basis.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The system can also comprise anarray of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements anda plurality of individual data stores. One or more tuning mechanisms ofthe array of tuning mechanisms can change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalparameters of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis. The one or more tuning mechanisms can change the oneor more operational parameters of the one or more elements on aper-element basis using data stored in one or more individual datastores of the plurality of individual data stores.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. The array ofelements can include an array of tuning mechanisms. Material propertiesof the artificially-structured material can be changed using data storedin one or more individual data stores of a plurality of individual datastores included as part of the array of elements by changing one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements on a per-elementbasis. The material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed as part of processing the one or more waves of energy atthe artificially-structured material on a per-element basis.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. At least a portion of the array ofelements can be connected through one or more interconnects. The systemcan also comprise an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of thearray of elements. One or more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuningmechanisms can change material properties of the artificially-structuredmaterial by changing one or more operational parameters of one or moreelements of the array of elements on a per-element basis. The one ormore tuning mechanisms can change the one or more operational parametersof the one or more elements on a per-element basis using communicationstransmitted to the one or more elements through the array of elementsusing the one or more interconnects.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. At least aportion of the array of elements can be connected through one or moreinterconnects. The array of elements can include an array of tuningmechanisms. Material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed using communications transmitted to the one or moreelements through the array of elements using the one or moreinterconnects by changing one or more operational properties of the oneor more elements on a per-element basis. The material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed as part of processingthe one or more waves of energy at the artificially-structured materialon a per-element basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example artificially-structured material withsensors.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing stimuli detected by sensors.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example artificially-structured material withprogrammable circuit modules.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing programmable circuit modules.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example artificially-structured material withindividual data stores.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing data stored in individual data stores at theartificially-structured material.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example artificially-structured material withinterconnects.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing data stored in individual data stores at theartificially-structured material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Transformation optics is an emerging field of electromagneticengineering. Transformation optics devices include lenses that refractelectromagnetic waves, where the refraction imitates the bending oflight in a curved coordinate space (a “transformation” of a flatcoordinate space), e.g. as described in A. J. Ward and J. B. Pendry,“Refraction and geometry in Maxwell's equations,” J. Mod. Optics 43, 773(1996), J. B. Pendry and S. A. Ramakrishna, “Focusing light usingnegative refraction,” J. Phys. [Cond. Matt.] 15, 6345 (2003), D. Schuriget al, “Calculation of material properties and ray tracing intransformation media,” Optics Express 14, 9794 (2006) (“D. Schurig et al(1)”), and in U. Leonhardt and T. G. Philbin, “General relativity inelectrical engineering,” New J. Phys. 8, 247 (2006), each of which isherein incorporated by reference. The use of the term “optics” does notimply any limitation with regards to wavelength; a transformation opticsdevice may be operable in wavelength bands that range from radiowavelengths to visible wavelengths.

A first exemplary transformation optics device is the electromagneticcloak that was described, simulated, and implemented, respectively, inJ. B. Pendry et al, “Controlling electromagnetic waves,” Science 312,1780 (2006); S. A. Cummer et al, “Full-wave simulations ofelectromagnetic cloaking structures,” Phys. Rev. E 74, 036621 (2006);and D. Schurig et al, “Metamaterial electromagnetic cloak at microwavefrequencies,” Science 314, 977 (2006) (“D. Schurig et al (2)”); each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference. See also J. Pendry et al,“Electromagnetic cloaking method,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/459,728, herein incorporated by reference. For the electromagneticcloak, the curved coordinate space is a transformation of a flat spacethat has been punctured and stretched to create a hole (the cloakedregion), and this transformation corresponds to a set of constitutiveparameters (electric permittivity and magnetic permeability) for atransformation medium wherein electromagnetic waves are refracted aroundthe hole in imitation of the curved coordinate space.

A second exemplary transformation optics device is illustrated byembodiments of the electromagnetic compression structure described in J.B. Pendry, D. Schurig, and D. R. Smith, “Electromagnetic compressionapparatus, methods, and systems,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/982,353; and in J. B. Pendry, D. Schurig, and D. R. Smith,“Electromagnetic compression apparatus, methods, and systems,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/069,170; each of which is hereinincorporated by reference. In embodiments described therein, anelectromagnetic compression structure includes a transformation mediumwith constitutive parameters corresponding to a coordinatetransformation that compresses a region of space intermediate first andsecond spatial locations, the effective spatial compression beingapplied along an axis joining the first and second spatial locations.The electromagnetic compression structure thereby provides an effectiveelectromagnetic distance between the first and second spatial locationsgreater than a physical distance between the first and second spatiallocations.

A third exemplary transform optics device is illustrated by embodimentsof the electromagnetic cloaking and/or translation structure describedin J. T. Kare, “Electromagnetic cloaking apparatus, methods, andsystems,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/074,247; and in J. T.Kare, “Electromagnetic cloaking apparatus, methods, and systems,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/074,248; each of which is hereinincorporated by reference. In embodiments described therein, anelectromagnetic translation structure includes a transformation mediumthat provides an apparent location of an electromagnetic transducerdifferent then an actual location of the electromagnetic transducer,where the transformation medium has constitutive parameterscorresponding to a coordinate transformation that maps the actuallocation to the apparent location. Alternatively or additionally,embodiments include an electromagnetic cloaking structure operable todivert electromagnetic radiation around an obstruction in a field ofregard of the transducer (and the obstruction can be anothertransducer).

A fourth exemplary transformation optics device is illustrated byembodiments of the various focusing and/or focus-adjusting structuresdescribed in J. A. Bowers et al. “Focusing and sensing apparatus,methods, and systems.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,443; J.A. Bowers et al, “Emitting and focusing apparatus, methods, andsystems.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/214,534; J. A. Bowers etal, “Negatively-refractive focusing and sensing apparatus, methods, andsystems. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/220,705; J. A. Bowers etal., “Emitting and negatively-refractive focusing apparatus, methods,and systems. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/220,703; J. A. Bowerset al. “Negatively-refractive focusing and sensing apparatus, methods,and systems. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/228,140; and J. A.Bowers et al., “Emitting and negatively-refractive focusing apparatus,methods, and systems. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/228,153; eachof which is herein incorporated by reference. In embodiments describedtherein, a focusing and/or focusing-structure includes a transformationmedium that provides an extended depth of focus/field greater than anominal depth of focus/field, or an interior focus/field region with anaxial magnification that is substantially greater than or less than one.

Additional exemplary transformation optics devices are described in D.Schurig et al., “Transformation-designed optical elements. Opt. Exp. 15,14772 (2007); M. Rahmetal, “Optical design of reflectionless complexmedia by finite embedded coordinate transformations.” Phys. Rev. Lett.100, 063903 (2008); and A. Kildishev and V. Shalaev, “Engineering spacefor light via transformation optics. Opt. Lett. 33,43 (2008); each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference. In general, for a selectedcoordinate transformation, a transformation medium can be identifiedwherein electromagnetic fields evolve as in a curved coordinate spacecorresponding to the selected coordinate transformation.

Embodiments of an indefinite medium and/or a transformation medium(including embodiments of indefinite transformation media) can berealized using the artificially-structured materials. Generallyspeaking, the electromagnetic properties of the artificially-structuredmaterials derive from their structural configurations, rather than or inaddition to their material composition.

In some embodiments, the artificially-structured materials are photoniccrystals. Some exemplary photonic crystals are described in J. D.Joannopoulos et al., Photonic Crystals Molding the Flow of Light, 2″Edition, Princeton Univ. Press, 2008, which is incorporated by referenceherein. In a photonic crystals, photonic dispersion relations and/orphotonic band gaps are engineered by imposing a spatially varyingpattern on an electromagnetic material (e.g. a conducting, magnetic, ordielectric material) or a combination of electromagnetic materials. Thephotonic dispersion relations translate to effective constitutiveparameters (e.g. permittivity, permeability, index of refraction) forthe photonic crystal. The spatially-varying pattern is typicallyperiodic, quasi-periodic, or colloidal periodic, with a length scalecomparable to an operating wavelength of the photonic crystal.

In other embodiments, the artificially-structured materials aremetamaterials. Some exemplary metamaterials are described in R. A. Hydeet al., “Variable metamaterial apparatus.” U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/355,493: D. Smith et al., “Metamaterials.” InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2005/026052: D. Smith et al., “Metamaterialsnegative refractive index.” Science 305,788 (2004); D. Smith et al.,“Indefinite materials. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/525,191; C.Caloz, and T. Itoh, Electromagnetic Metamaterials. Transmission LineTheory and Microwave Applications, Wiley-Interscience, 2006; N. Enghetaand R. W. Ziolkowski, eds., Metamaterials. Physics and EngineeringExplorations, Wiley-Interscience, 2006; and A. K. Sarychev and V. M.Shalaev, Electrodynamics of Metamaterials, World Scientific, 2007; eachof which is herein incorporated by reference.

Metamaterials generally feature subwavelength elements, i.e. structuralelements with portions having electromagnetic length scales smaller thanan operating wavelength of the metamaterial, and the subwavelengthelements have a collective response to electromagnetic radiation thatcorresponds to an effective continuous medium response, characterized byan effective permittivity, an effective permeability, an effectivemagnetoelectric coefficient, or any combination thereof. For example,the electromagnetic radiation may induce charges and/or currents in thesubwavelength elements, whereby the subwavelength elements acquirenonzero electric and/or magnetic dipole moments. Where the electriccomponent of the electromagnetic radiation induces electric dipolemoments, the metamaterial has an effective permittivity; where themagnetic component of the electromagnetic radiation induces magneticdipole moments, the metamaterial has an effective permeability; andwhere the electric (magnetic) component induces magnetic (electric)dipole moments (as in a chiral metamaterial), the metamaterial has aneffective magnetoelectric coefficient. Some metamaterials provide anartificial magnetic response; for example, split-ring resonators(SRRs)—or other LC or plasmonic resonators—built from nonmagneticconductors can exhibit an effective magnetic permeability (c.f. J. B.Pendry et al, “Magnetism from conductors and enhanced nonlinearphenomena,” IEEE Trans. Micro. Theo. Tech. 47, 2075 (1999), hereinincorporated by reference). Some metamaterials have “hybrid”electromagnetic properties that emerge partially from structuralcharacteristics of the metamaterial, and partially from intrinsicproperties of the constituent materials. For example, G. Dewar, “A thinwire array and magnetic host structure with n<0,” J. Appl. Phys. 97,10Q101 (2005), herein incorporated by reference, describes ametamaterial consisting of a wire array (exhibiting a negativepermeability as a consequence of its structure) embedded in anonconducting ferrimagnetic host medium (exhibiting an intrinsicnegative permeability). Metamaterials can be designed and fabricated toexhibit selected permittivities, permeabilities, and/or magnetoelectriccoefficients that depend upon material properties of the constituentmaterials as well as shapes, chiralities, configurations, positions,orientations, and couplings between the subwavelength elements. Theselected permittivites, permeabilities, and/or magnetoelectriccoefficients can be positive or negative, complex (having loss or gain),anisotropic, variable in space (as in a gradient index lens), variablein time (e.g. in response to an external or feedback signal), variablein frequency (e.g. in the vicinity of a resonant frequency of themetamaterial), or any combination thereof. The selected electromagneticproperties can be provided at wavelengths that range from radiowavelengths to infrared/visible wavelengths; the latter wavelengths areattainable, e.g., with nanostructured materials such as nanorod pairs ornano-fishnet structures (c.f. S. Linden et al, “Photonic metamaterials:Magnetism at optical frequencies,” IEEE J. Select. Top. Quant. Elect.12, 1097 (2006) and V. Shalaev, “Optical negative-index metamaterials,”Nature Photonics 1, 41 (2007), both herein incorporated by reference).An example of a three-dimensional metamaterial at optical frequencies,an elongated-split-ring “woodpile” structure, is described in M. S. Rillet al, “Photonic metamaterials by direct laser writing and silverchemical vapour deposition,” Nature Materials advance onlinepublication, May 11, 2008, (doi:10.1038/nmat2197).

While many exemplary metamaterials are described as including discreteelements, some implementations of metamaterials may include non-discreteelements or structures. For example, a metamaterial may include elementscomprised of sub-elements, where the sub-elements are discretestructures (such as split-ring resonators, etc.), or the metamaterialmay include elements that are inclusions, exclusions, layers, or othervariations along some continuous structure (e.g. etchings on asubstrate). Some examples of layered metamaterials include: a structureconsisting of alternating doped/intrinsic semiconductor layers (cf. A.J. Hoffman, “Negative refraction in semiconductor metamaterials,” NatureMaterials 6, 946 (2007), herein incorporated by reference), and astructure consisting of alternating metal/dielectric layers (cf. A.Salandrino and N. Engheta, “Far-field subdiffraction optical microscopyusing metamaterial crystals: Theory and simulations,” Phys. Rev. B 74,075103 (2006); and Z. Jacob et al, “Optical hyperlens: Far-field imagingbeyond the diffraction limit,” Opt. Exp. 14, 8247 (2006); each of whichis herein incorporated by reference). The metamaterial may includeextended structures having distributed electromagnetic responses (suchas distributed inductive responses, distributed capacitive responses,and distributed inductive-capacitive responses). Examples includestructures consisting of loaded and/or interconnected transmission lines(such as microstrips and striplines), artificial ground plane structures(such as artificial perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) surfaces andelectromagnetic band gap (EGB) surfaces), and interconnected/extendednanostructures (nano-fishnets, elongated SRR woodpiles, etc.).

While artificially-structured materials are described with reference toelectromagnetic waves of energy, in various embodimentsartificially-structured materials described herein can be configured toprocess or otherwise interact with other applicable waves of energy. Forexample, artificially-structured materials described herein can processacoustic waves of energy.

According to various embodiments, a system comprises an array ofelements forming an artificially-structured material. The system canalso comprise an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of thearray of elements. One or more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuningmechanisms can change material properties of the artificially-structuredmaterial by changing one or more operational parameters of one or moreelements of the array of elements on a per-element basis. The one ormore tuning mechanisms can change the one or more operational parametersof the one or more elements on a per-element basis in response tostimuli detected by one or more sensors in a plurality of sensorsincluded in the array of tuning mechanisms.

In various embodiments, one or more stimuli are detected by one or moresensors in a plurality of sensors included an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The array of elements can includean array of tuning mechanisms. Material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed using one or more tuningmechanisms in the array of tuning mechanisms by changing one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements on a per-elementbasis. The material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed in response to the one or more stimuli detected by theone or more sensors.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The system can also comprise anarray of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements andan array of programmable circuit modules. One or more tuning mechanismsof the array of tuning mechanisms can change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalparameters of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis. The one or more tuning mechanisms can change the oneor more operational parameters of the one or more elements on aper-element basis using one or more programmable circuit modules of theplurality of programmable circuit modules.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. The array ofelements can include an array of tuning mechanisms. Material propertiesof the artificially-structured material can be changed using one or moreprogrammable circuit modules of a plurality of programmable circuitmodules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms by changingone or more operational properties of the one or more elements on aper-element basis. The material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed as part of processingthe one or more waves of energy at the artificially-structured materialon a per-element basis.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. The system can also comprise anarray of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements anda plurality of individual data stores. One or more tuning mechanisms ofthe array of tuning mechanisms can change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalparameters of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis. The one or more tuning mechanisms can change the oneor more operational parameters of the one or more elements on aper-element basis using data stored in one or more individual datastores of the plurality of individual data stores.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. The array ofelements can include an array of tuning mechanisms. Material propertiesof the artificially-structured material can be changed using data storedin one or more individual data stores of a plurality of individual datastores included as part of the array of elements by changing one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements on a per-elementbasis. The material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed as part of processing the one or more waves of energy atthe artificially-structured material on a per-element basis.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises an array of elements formingan artificially-structured material. At least a portion of the array ofelements can be connected through one or more interconnects. The systemcan also comprise an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of thearray of elements. One or more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuningmechanisms can change material properties of the artificially-structuredmaterial by changing one or more operational parameters of one or moreelements of the array of elements on a per-element basis. The one ormore tuning mechanisms can change the one or more operational parametersof the one or more elements on a per-element basis using communicationstransmitted to the one or more elements through the array of elementsusing the one or more interconnects.

In various embodiments, an artificially-structured material including anarray of elements can receive one or more waves of energy. At least aportion of the array of elements can be connected through one or moreinterconnects. The array of elements can include an array of tuningmechanisms. Material properties of the artificially-structured materialcan be changed using communications transmitted to the one or moreelements through the array of elements using the one or moreinterconnects by changing one or more operational properties of the oneor more elements on a per-element basis. The material properties of theartificially-structured material can be changed as part of processingthe one or more waves of energy at the artificially-structured materialon a per-element basis.

Some of the infrastructure that can be used with embodiments disclosedherein is already available, such as general-purpose computers, RFantennas, computer programming tools and techniques, digital storagemedia, and communications networks. A computing device may include aprocessor such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, logic circuitry, orthe like. The processor may include a special purpose processing devicesuch as an ASIC, PAL, PLA, PLD, FPGA, or other customized orprogrammable device. The computing device may also include acomputer-readable storage device such as non-volatile memory, staticRAM, dynamic RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, disk, tape, magnetic, optical, flashmemory, or other computer-readable storage medium.

Various aspects of certain embodiments may be implemented usinghardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. As used herein,a software module or component may include any type of computerinstruction or computer executable code located within or on acomputer-readable storage medium. A software module may, for instance,comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions, which may be organized as a routine, program, object,component, data structure, etc., that performs one or more tasks orimplements particular abstract data types.

In certain embodiments, a particular software module may comprisedisparate instructions stored in different locations of acomputer-readable storage medium, which together implement the describedfunctionality of the module. Indeed, a module may comprise a singleinstruction or many instructions, and may be distributed over severaldifferent code segments, among different programs, and across severalcomputer-readable storage media. Some embodiments may be practiced in adistributed computing environment where tasks are performed by a remoteprocessing device linked through a communications network.

The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by referenceto the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numeralsthroughout. The components of the disclosed embodiments, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Furthermore, thefeatures, structures, and operations associated with one embodiment maybe applicable to or combined with the features, structures, oroperations described in conjunction with another embodiment. In otherinstances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shownor described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of this disclosure.

Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of thesystems and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possibleembodiments. In addition, the steps of a method do not necessarily needto be executed in any specific order, or even sequentially, nor need thesteps be executed only once.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example artificially-structured material 100 withsensors. The artificially-structured material 100 includes a firstelement 102-1, a second element 102-2, a third element 102-3, and afourth element 102-4 (herein referred to as “elements 102”). Theelements 102 can form an array of elements as part of theartificially-structured material 100. While the exampleartificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated toinclude four elements 102, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 100 can include fewer than fourelements or more than four elements. For example, theartificially-structured material 100 can include more than four elementsthat operate together as part of a transformation optics device.

The example artificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1includes a first tuning mechanism 104-1, a second tuning mechanism104-2, a third tuning mechanism 104-3, and a fourth tuning mechanism104-4 (herein referred to as “tuning mechanisms 104”). The tuningmechanisms 104 can form an array or a plurality of tuning mechanisms aspart of the artificially-structured material 100. While the exampleartificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated toinclude four tuning mechanisms 104, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 100 can include fewer than four tuningmechanisms or more than four tuning mechanisms. For example, theartificially-structured material 100 can include more than four tuningmechanisms that operate together as part of a metamaterial.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can each correspond to one or more elements inthe artificially-structured material 100. For example, the first tuningmechanism 104-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. only controloperational properties of, the first element 102-1. In another example,the first tuning mechanism 104-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. onlycontrol operational properties of, the first element 102-1 and thesecond element 102-2. While the tuning mechanisms 104 are shown to beseparate from the elements 102, the tuning mechanisms 104 can beincluded as part of the elements 102. For example, as the elements 102are fabricated, the tuning mechanisms 104 can be fabricated along withthe elements 102 as part of the elements 102.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change material properties of theartificially-structured material 100. More specifically, the tuningmechanisms 104 can change material properties of theartificially-structured material 100 by controlling operationalproperties of the elements 102. For example, as will be discussed ingreater detail later, the tuning mechanisms 104 can control resonantfrequencies of the elements 104 as part of controlling operationalproperties of the elements 102 to change material properties of theartificially-structured material 100.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change material properties of theartificially-structured material 100 on a per-element basis. Morespecifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change operationalproperties of the elements 102 on a per-element basis change materialproperties of the artificially-structured material 100 on a per-elementbasis. In changing operational properties of the elements 102 on aper-element basis, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change the operationalproperties of one or more elements of the elements 102 independent fromchanging the operational properties of one or more additional andseparate elements of the elements 102. For example, the first tuningmechanism 104-1 can change a resonant frequency of the first element102-1 by a first amount independent of the second tuning mechanism 104-2can refrain from changing a resonant frequency of the second element102-2. In another example, the first tuning mechanism 104-1 can change aresonant frequency of the first element 102-1 by a first amountindependent of a the second tuning mechanism 104-2 changing a resonantfrequency of the second element 102-2 by a second amount, potentiallythe same as the first amount.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change resonant frequencies of theelements 102 by changing either or both one or more capacitances andinductances of the elements 102. More specifically, the tuningmechanisms 104 can change resonant frequencies of the elements 102 bychanging either or both capacitances and inductances of the elements 102on a per-element basis. For example, the first tuning mechanism 104-1can change an inductance of the first element 102-1 to change a resonantfrequency of the first element 102-1 independent of the second tuningmechanism 104-2 changing or refraining from changing an inductance ofthe second element 102-2. Similarly, the second tuning mechanism 104-2can change a capacitance of the second element 102-2 to change aresonant frequency of the second element 102-2 independent of the firsttuning mechanism 104-1 changing or refraining from changing acapacitance of the first element 102-1.

Additionally, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change operationalproperties of the elements 102 by changing relative physical positionsbetween the elements 102. Specifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 canchange resonant frequencies of the elements 102 by changing relativephysical positions of the elements 102 with respect to each other. Inchanging relative physical positions between the elements 102, thetuning mechanisms 104 can change resonant frequencies of the elements102. For example, the first tuning mechanism 104-1 can change a resonantfrequency of the first element 102-1 by changing a relative position ofthe first element 102-1 with respect to the second element 102-2.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change operational properties of theelements 102 by changing relative positions between two or more siteswithin each element of the elements 102. Specifically, the tuningmechanisms 104 can change resonant frequencies of the elements 102 bychanging physical positions of sites within each element of the elements102 to change resonant frequencies of each element of the elements 102.Additionally, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change operationalproperties of the elements 102 by controlling relative orientations ofthe elements 102 with respect to each other or sites in the elements 102with respect to each other. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 104can change resonant frequencies of the elements 102 by changingpositions of sites in the elements 102 with respect to each other.

In changing operational properties of the elements 102, the tuningmechanisms 104 can change relative positions, e.g. sites within theelements 102, of either or both capacitive components of the elements102 and inductive components of the elements 102 with respect to eachother. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change relativepositions of either or both capacitive components of the elements 102and inductive components of the elements 102 with respect to each otherto change resonant frequencies of the elements 102. Additionally, thetuning mechanisms 104 can change relative orientations, e.g. as siteswithin the elements 102, of either or both capacitive components of theelements 102 and inductive components of the elements 102 with respectto each other to change resonant frequencies of the elements 102.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change one or more physical positions ofthe elements 102 and/or sites within the elements 102 on a micrometerscale. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change physicalpositions of the elements 102 and/or sites within the elements 102 on ascale that is smaller than a wave of energy for which the elements 102are resonant. For example, the tuning mechanisms 104 can cause theelements 102 to change position on a scale that is less than awavelength of a wave of energy that the elements 102 are configured toprocess. Further, the tuning mechanisms can change physical positions ofthe elements 102 and/or sites within the elements 102 on a scale that isless than 10% of a wave of energy for which the elements 102 areresonant. For example the tuning mechanisms 104 can cause the elements102 to change position with respect to each other on a scale that isless than 10% of a wavelength of a wave energy that the elements 102 areconfigured to process.

Further, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change or cause changing of anoverall mass of the elements 102, as part of changing operationalproperties of the elements 102 to change material properties of theartificially-structured material 100. For example, the first tuningmechanism 104-1 can add of cause the addition of mass to the firstelement 102-1 to increase an overall mass of the first element 102-1,e.g. as part of changing operational properties of the first element102-1. In another example, the second tuning mechanism 104-2 can removeor cause the removal of mass from the second element 102-2 to decreasean overall mass of the second element 102-2, e.g. as part of changingoperational properties of the second element 102-2. In The tuningmechanisms 104 can change or cause changing of an overall mass of theelements 102 to change resonant frequencies of the elements 102.

In changing operational properties of the elements 102, the tuningmechanisms 104 can quench a wave response of the elements 102. Morespecifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 can quench a wave response ofthe elements to waves of energy processed by the artificially-structuredmaterial 100. For example, the first tuning mechanism 104-1 can quenchthe first element 102-1 such that the first element 102-1 does notinteract with or otherwise process waves of energy being processed bythe artificially-structured material 100. The tuning mechanisms 104 canquench wave responses of the elements 102 on a per-element basis, e.g.as part of changing operational properties of the elements 102 on aper-element basis.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change the operational properties of theelements 102 to change one or more characteristics of waves of energyprocessed by the artificially-structured material 100. Characteristicsof waves of energy processed by the artificially-structured material 100include applicable properties of the waves of energy processed by theartificially-structured material 100. Examples of characteristics ofwaves of energy capable of being changed by the elements 102 includewavelengths of the waves of energy, phases of the waves of energy,amplitudes of the waves of energy, polarizations of the waves of energy,propagation directions of the waves of energy, and absorptioncharacteristics of the waves of energy. For example, the tuningmechanisms 104 can change resonant frequencies of the elements 102, e.g.on a per-element basis, to change propagation directions of either orboth electromagnetic waves and acoustic waves processed by theartificially-structured material 100.

Further, the tuning mechanisms 104 can change operational properties ofthe elements 102 based on, at least in part, outside input. Outsideinput can include input received from an outside source separate fromthe artificially-structured material 100. Specifically, outside inputcan include operation instructions generated and received from anadministrator of a device incorporating the artificially-structuredmaterial 100. For example, an administrator can specify, through outsideinput, to switch from operating on electromagnetic waves of energy tooperating on acoustic waves of energy. Further in the example, thetuning mechanisms 104 can subsequently configure the elements 102 toprocess acoustic waves of energy by changing the operational propertiesof the elements 102 in response to the outside input received from theadministrator.

The example artificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1includes a first sensor 106-1, a second sensor 106-2, a third sensor106-3, and a fourth sensor 106-4 (herein referred to as “sensors 106”).The sensors 106 can form an array or a plurality of sensors as part ofthe artificially-structured material 100. While the exampleartificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated toinclude four sensors 106, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 100 can include fewer than four sensorsor more than four sensors. For example, the artificially-structuredmaterial 100 can include more than four sensors that operate together asa transformation acoustics device.

The sensors 106 can each correspond to one or more elements in theartificially-structured material 100. For example, the first sensor106-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. be used to control operation of,the first element 102-1. In another example, the first sensor 106-1 canuniquely correspond to, e.g. be used to control operation of, the firstelement 102-1 and the second element 102-2. While the sensors 106 areshown to be separate from the elements 102, the sensors 106 can beincluded as part of the elements 102. For example, as the elements 102are fabricated, the sensors 106 can be fabricated along with theelements 102 as part of the elements 102. In various embodiments, eachelement in the artificially-structured material 100 can have a uniquelycorresponding sensor. For example, each element in theartificially-structured material 100 can have a corresponding sensorformed as part of the element.

The sensors 106 can function to detect stimuli. More specifically, thesensors 106 can detect stimuli for purposes of controlling operationalproperties of the elements 102. Subsequently, the tuning mechanisms 104can control operational properties of the elements 102 based on stimulidetected by the sensors 106 as part of changing material properties ofthe artificially-structured material 100, potentially on a per-elementbasis. For example, the first sensor 106-1 can detect stimuli, e.g. asindicated by sensor input, and the first tuning mechanism 104-1 cancontrol operation of the first element 102-1 based on the stimuli on aper-element basis. Further in the example, the second tuning mechanism104-2 can control operation of the second element 102-2 on a per-elementbasis according to the stimuli detected by the first sensor 106-1.

The sensors 106 can include applicable sensors for detectingcharacteristics of waves of energy processed by theartificially-structured material 100 as part of detecting stimuli. Morespecifically, the sensors 106 can be applicable sensors for identifyingone or a combination of wavelengths of waves of energy, phases of wavesof energy, amplitudes of waves of energy, local intensities of waves ofenergy, polarizations of waves of energy, and propagation directions ofwaves of energy. Subsequently, characteristics of waves of energydetected by the sensors 106, as indicated by generated sensor input, canbe used by the tuning mechanisms 104 to control operational propertiesof the elements 102, e.g. on a per-element basis. For example,operational properties of the first elements 102-1 can be controlled bythe first tuning mechanism 104-1 to change an outgoing propagationdirection of a wave of energy based on an incoming propagation directionof the wave, as detected by the first sensor 106-1.

Additionally, the sensors 106 can include applicable sensors fordetecting characteristics of an environment at theartificially-structured material 100. Characteristics of an environmentat the artificially-structured material 100 can include applicableenvironmental characteristics. For example, characteristics of anenvironment at the artificially-structured material 100 can include alocation, a specific time, humidity, displacement of theartificially-structured material 100, and a temperature. Subsequently,characteristics of an environment detected by the sensors 106, asindicated by generated sensor input, can be used by the tuningmechanisms 104 to control operational properties of the elements 102,e.g. on a per-element basis. For example, the first tuning mechanism104-1 can change a resonant frequency of the first element 102-1 basedon a temperature at the artificially-structured material 100.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can change operational properties of anelement of the elements 102 based on stimuli detected by sensorscorresponding to other elements of the elements 102. For example, thefirst tuning mechanism 104-1 can receive senor input indicating stimulidetected by the second sensor 106-2 corresponding to the second element102-2. Subsequently, the first tuning mechanism 104-1 can changeoperational properties of the first element 102-1 based on the sensorinput indicating the stimuli detected by the second sensor 106-2. As aresult, operational properties of the elements 102 can be controlledbased on stimuli detected across different sensors, and not just onlybased on stimuli detected by a sensor that corresponds to each element102.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can be in operational communication with thesensors 106. Specifically, the tuning mechanisms 104 can be inoperational communication with sensors corresponding to elements thatcorrespond to the tuning mechanisms. For example, the first tuningmechanism 104-1 can be in operational communication with the firstsensor 106-1. Further, the tuning mechanisms 104 can be in operationalcommunication with sensors corresponding to different elements thanthose associated with the tuning mechanisms 104. For example, the firsttuning mechanism 104-1 can be in operational communication with thethird sensor 106-3.

The tuning mechanisms 104 can be in operational communication with thesensors 106 through either or both electronic and optical circuitry.Circuitry coupling the tuning mechanisms 104 with the sensors 106 can beused to transmit sensor input from the sensors 106 to the tuningmechanisms 104. The tuning mechanisms 104 can then use the inputreceived through the circuitry from the sensors 106 to controloperational properties of the elements 102, e.g. on a per-element basis.Circuitry used to operationally connect the tuning mechanisms 104 withthe sensors 106 can be integrated as part of the artificially-structuredmaterial 100.

The elements 102 can determine, on a per-element basis, whether toprocess a specific wave of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 100. For example, a specific element of the elements 102 candetermine whether to process a wave of energy at the specific element.The elements 102 can determine whether to process a wave of energy on aper-element basis at the artificially-structured material 100 based oncharacteristics of the wave of energy. For example, the first element102-1 can determine by itself whether to process a wave of energy basedon a wavelength of the wave. Further in the example, the second element102-2 can determine by itself whether to process the wave of energybased on the wavelength of the wave.

Further, the elements 102 can process a specific wave of energy based ona determination, made on a per-element basis, to process the specificwave of energy. More specifically, the elements 102 can configure theircorresponding operational properties, on a per-element basis, to processthe specific wave of energy if they determine to process the specificwave of energy. Subsequently, the elements 102 can process the specificwave after or during configuration of their operational properties toprocess the specific wave of energy. The elements 102 can determine howto configure their operational parameters for purposes of processing thespecific wave. More specifically, the elements 102 can determine how toconfigure their operational parameters in order to process the specificwave of energy based on characteristics of the wave of energy.

The elements 102 can determine whether and how to process a specificwave of energy, on a per-element basis, based on either or both stimulidetected by the sensors 106 and outside input. For example, the elements102 can determine, on a per-element basis, to process a specific wave ofenergy if outside input instructs the elements 102 to process thespecific wave of energy. In another example, the elements 102 candetermine, on a per-element basis, how to configure their operationalproperties based on a propagation direction of a specific wave of energydetected by one or more sensors of the sensors 106.

Further, the elements 102 can include programmable circuitry integratedas part of the elements 102. Programmable circuitry integrated as partof the elements 102 can be used by the elements 102 to determine whetherto process a specific wave of energy and how to process a specific waveof energy. For example, programmable circuitry integrated as part of theelements 102 can be used by the elements 102 to determine how toconfigure their operational properties for purposes of processing aspecific wave of energy. Additionally, programmable circuitry integratedas part of the elements 102 can be used in controlling the tuningmechanisms 104. For example, programmable circuitry integrated as partof the elements 102 can be used in controlling the tuning mechanisms 104for changing operational properties of the elements 102, e.g. by theelements 102 themselves.

Additionally, the elements 102 can include data storage circuitryintegrated as part of the elements 102. Data storage circuitryintegrated as part of the elements 102 can be used by the elements 102to determine whether to process a specific wave of energy and how toprocess a specific wave of energy. For example, data storage circuitryintegrated as part of the elements 102 can be used by the elements 102to determine, on a per-element basis, whether the elements shouldprocess a specific wave of energy. Additionally, data storage circuitryintegrated as part of the elements 102 can be used in controlling thetuning mechanisms 104. For example, data storage circuitry integrated aspart of the elements 102 can be used in controlling the tuningmechanisms 104 for changing operational properties of the elements 102,e.g. by the elements 102 themselves.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing stimuli detected by sensors. At step 202, stimuli are detected bysensors in a plurality of sensors included in an array of elementsforming an artificially-structured material. Stimuli can be detected byapplicable sensors integrated in an array of elements forming anartificially-structured material, such as the sensors 106. Stimulidetected by the sensors at the artificially-structured material caninclude characteristics of waves of energy processed by theartificially-structured material. Additionally, stimuli detected by thesensors at the artificially-structured material can includecharacteristics of an environment at the artificially-structuredmaterial. Each sensor in the array of sensors can be integrated as partof and uniquely correspond to a single element in the array of elements.

At step 204, one or more tuning mechanisms in an array of tuningmechanisms are used to change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing operational properties ofthe elements in the artificially-structured material on a per-elementbasis in response to the detected stimuli. The tuning mechanisms can beapplicable tuning mechanisms for controlling operational properties ofthe elements on a per-element basis in response to detected stimuli,such as the tuning mechanisms 104. The tuning mechanisms in the array oftuning mechanisms can be implemented as part of the array of elements.More specifically, each tuning mechanism in the array of tuningmechanisms can be integrated as part of and uniquely correspond to asingle element in the array of elements. In controlling operationalproperties of the elements, the tuning mechanisms can control resonantfrequencies of the elements on a per-element basis and/or quenching awave response of the elements on a per-element basis.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example artificially-structured material 300 withprogrammable circuit modules. The artificially-structured material 300includes a first element 302-1, a second element 302-2, a third element302-3, and a fourth element 302-4 (herein referred to as “elements302”). The elements 302 can form an array of elements as part of theartificially-structured material 300. While the exampleartificially-structured material 300 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated toinclude four elements 302, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 300 can include fewer than fourelements or more than four elements. For example, theartificially-structured material 300 can include more than four elementsthat operate together as part of a transformation acoustics device.

The example artificially-structured material 300 shown in FIG. 3includes a first tuning mechanism 304-1, a second tuning mechanism304-2, a third tuning mechanism 304-3, and a fourth tuning mechanism304-4 (herein referred to as “tuning mechanisms 304”). The tuningmechanisms 304 can form an array or a plurality of tuning mechanisms aspart of the artificially-structured material 300. While the exampleartificially-structured material 300 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated toinclude four tuning mechanisms 304, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 300 can include fewer than four tuningmechanisms or more than four tuning mechanisms. For example, theartificially-structured material 300 can include more than four tuningmechanisms that operate together as part of a metamaterial.

The tuning mechanisms 304 can each correspond to one or more elements inthe artificially-structured material 300. For example, the first tuningmechanism 304-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. only controloperational properties of, the first element 302-1. In another example,the first tuning mechanism 304-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. onlycontrol operational properties of, the first element 302-1 and thesecond element 302-2. While the tuning mechanisms 304 are shown to beseparate from the elements 302, the tuning mechanisms 304 can beincluded as part of the elements 302. For example, as the elements 302are fabricated, the tuning mechanisms 304 can be fabricated along withthe elements 302 as part of the elements 302.

The tuning mechanisms 304 can function according to applicable tuningmechanisms for changing material properties of theartificially-structured material 300, such as the tuning mechanisms 104shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 304 can changematerial properties of the artificially-structured material 300 bychanging operational properties of the elements 302 on a per-elementbasis. For example, the tuning mechanisms 304 can change operationalproperties of the elements 302 on a per-element basis by changingresonant frequencies of the elements 302 on a per-element basis. Invarious embodiments, the tuning mechanisms 304 can change operationalproperties of the elements 302 on a per-element basis according tostimuli detected by applicable sensors, such as the sensors 106 shown inFIG. 1.

The example artificially-structured material 300 includes a firstprogrammable circuit module 306-1, a second programmable circuit module306-2, a third programmable circuit module 306-3, and a fourthprogrammable circuit module 306-4 (herein referred to as “programmablecircuit modules 306”). The programmable circuit modules 306 can form anarray or a plurality of programmable circuit modules 306 as part of theartificially-structured material 300. While the exampleartificially-structured material 300 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated toinclude four programmable circuit modules 306, in certain embodiments,the artificially-structured material 300 can include fewer than fourprogrammable circuit modules or more than four programmable circuitmodules. For example, the artificially-structured material 300 caninclude more than four programmable circuit modules that operatetogether as a metamaterial-based device.

The programmable circuit modules 306 can each correspond to one or moreelements in the artificially-structured material 300. For example, thefirst programmable circuit module 306-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g.be used to control operation of, the first element 302-1. In anotherexample, the first programmable circuit module 306-1 can uniquelycorrespond to, e.g. be used to control operation of, the first element302-1 and the second element 302-2. While the programmable circuitmodules 306 are shown to be separate from the elements 302, theprogrammable circuit modules 306 can be included as part of the elements302 and/or the tuning mechanisms 304. For example, as the elements 302are fabricated, the programmable circuit modules 306 can be fabricatedalong with the elements 302 as part of the elements 302. In variousembodiments, each element in the artificially-structured material 300can have a uniquely corresponding programmable circuit module. Forexample, each element in the artificially-structured material 300 canhave a corresponding programmable circuit module formed as part of theelement.

The tuning mechanisms 304 can change operational properties of theelements 302 on a per-element basis using the programmable circuitmodules 306. Specifically, the programmable circuit modules 306 cancontrol the tuning mechanisms 304 to change operational properties ofthe elements 302 on a per-element basis using received outside input.Additionally, the programmable circuit modules 306 can control thetuning mechanisms 304 to change operational properties of the elements302 on a per-element basis using stimuli detected by sensors. Forexample, the programmable circuit modules 306 can control the tuningmechanisms 304 based on characteristics of waves of energy processed bythe artificially-structured material 300, as detected by sensors.Sensors used by the programmable circuit modules 306 in controlling thetuning mechanisms 304 can be applicable sensors for detecting stimuli atthe artificially-structured material 300, such as the sensors 106 in theexample artificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, sensors can be implemented at each of the elements 302 and usedby the programmable circuit modules 306 to control operation of thetuning mechanisms 304.

The programmable circuit modules 306 can determine, on a per-elementbasis, whether to process a specific wave of energy at theartificially-structured material 100. More specifically, theprogrammable circuit modules 306 can determine whether to process a waveof energy at a specific element of the elements 302. The programmablecircuit modules 306 can determine whether to process a specific wave ofenergy at a specific element based on characteristics of the wave ofenergy. For example, the first programmable circuit module 306-1 candetermine whether to process a wave of energy at the first element 302-1based on a wavelength of the wave.

Further, the programmable circuit modules 306 can process a specificwave of energy, e.g. by controlling the tuning mechanisms 304, based ona determination, made on a per-element basis, to process the specificwave of energy. More specifically, the programmable circuit modules 306can configure corresponding operational properties of the elements 302using the tuning mechanisms 304, on a per-element basis, to process thespecific wave of energy if it is determined to process the specific waveof energy. Subsequently, the elements 302 can process the specific waveafter or during configuration of their operational properties to processthe specific wave of energy. The programmable circuit modules 306 candetermine how to configure the operational parameters of the elements302 for purposes of processing the specific wave. More specifically, theprogrammable circuit modules 306 can determine how to configureoperational parameters of the elements 302 in order to process thespecific wave of energy based on characteristics of the wave of energy.

The programmable circuit modules 306 can determine whether and how toprocess a specific wave of energy, on a per-element basis, based oneither or both stimuli detected by sensors and outside input. Forexample, the programmable circuit modules 306 can determine, on aper-element basis, to process a specific wave of energy if outside inputinstructs the programmable circuit modules 306 to process the specificwave of energy using specific elements. In another example, theprogrammable circuit modules 306 can determine, on a per-element basis,how to configure operational properties of the elements 302 based on apropagation direction of a specific wave of energy detected by one ormore sensors.

Further, the programmable circuit modules 306 can perform signalprocessing on waves of energy at the artificially-structured material300. For example, the programmable circuit modules 306 can amplifysignals in the waves of energy at the artificially-structured material300. The programmable circuit modules 306 can perform signal processingon waves of energy at the artificially-structured material 300 on aper-element basis at the elements 302 of the artificially-structuredmaterial 300. For example, the first programmable circuit module 306-1can perform signal processing at the first element 302-1 to a wave ofenergy that is or will be processed at the first element 302-1. Inperforming signal processing on waves of energy at theartificially-structured material 300, the programmable circuit modules306 can perform non-linear signal processing on the waves of energy. Forexample, the programmable circuit modules 306 can perform non-linearfiltering on waves of energy processed at the artificially-structuredmaterial 300.

The programmable circuit modules 306 can perform signal processing onwaves of energy at the artificially-structured material 300 based oneither or both stimuli detected by sensors and outside input. Forexample, if outside input indicates to filter a specific signal, thenthe programmable circuit modules 306 can filter the specific signal atthe artificially-structured material 300. In another example, if asensor detects an amplitude of a wave of energy is below a thresholdamount, then the programmable circuit modules 306 can amplify the waveof energy at the artificially-structured material 300.

The artificially-structured material 300 can include data storagecircuitry. The data storage circuitry can be included as part of anarray of data storage circuitry. Additionally, the data storagecircuitry can be included as part of the elements 302.

Data storage circuitry included as part of the artificially-structuredmaterial 300 can store data associated with one or more sensors, e.g.sensors included as part of the artificially-structured material 300such as the sensors 106 described in the example artificially-structuredmaterial 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the data storage circuitrycan store sensor input indicating detected stimuli. More specifically,the data storage circuitry included as part of theartificially-structured material 300 can store sensor input receivedfrom a senor integrated as part of the artificially-structured material300 through an interconnect connecting the elements 302 to the sensor.

Additionally, data storage circuitry included as part of theartificially-structured material 300 can store programming instructionsfor controlling the tuning mechanisms 304, e.g. using the programmablecircuit modules 306. Programming instructions stored in the data storagecircuitry can be read-only instructions that do not change. Further,programming instructions stored in the data storage circuitry can beread/write instructions that are capable being written to or otherwisechanged. More specifically, programming instructions stored in the datastorage circuitry can change in response to one or a combination ofreceived sensor input, receive external/outside input, and inputreceived from the elements 302 in the artificially-structured material300. For example, the programming instructions can change in response tochanges made by the elements 302 to propagation directions of waves ofenergy, as indicated by input received from the elements 302.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing programmable circuit modules. At step 402, waves of energy arereceived at an artificially-structured material including an array ofelements and an array of tuning mechanisms. The tuning mechanisms can beapplicable tuning mechanisms for controlling operational properties ofthe elements on a per-element basis, such as the tuning mechanisms 304.The tuning mechanisms can be integrated as part of the array ofelements. Additionally, each tuning mechanism of the tuning mechanismscan be formed as part of a single element in the array of elements anduniquely correspond to the element in which it is integrated, therebypotentially allowing for per-element control of the array of elements.

At step 404, material properties of the artificially-structured materialare changed using tuning mechanisms in the array of tuning mechanismsand programmable circuit modules. More specifically, the materialproperties are changed by changing operational properties of theelements in the array of elements in the array of elements on aper-element basis as part of processing the waves of energy at theartificially-structured material. The programmable circuit modules canbe applicable programmable circuit modules for changing operationalproperties of the elements on a per-element basis, such as theprogrammable circuit modules 306. The programmable circuit modules canbe included as part of the array of elements and or the array of tuningmechanisms. Additionally, each programmable circuit module can be formedas part of a single element in the array of elements and uniquelycorrespond to the element in which it is integrated, thereby potentiallyallowing for per-element control of the array of elements.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example artificially-structured material 500 withindividual data stores. The artificially-structured material 500includes a first element 502-1, a second element 502-2, a third element502-3, and a fourth element 502-4 (herein referred to as “elements502”). The elements 502 can form an array of elements as part of theartificially-structured material 500. While the exampleartificially-structured material 500 shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated toinclude four elements 302, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 500 can include fewer than fourelements or more than four elements. For example, theartificially-structured material 500 can include more than four elementsthat operate together as part of a metamaterial-based device.

The example artificially-structured material 500 shown in FIG. 5includes a first tuning mechanism 504-1, a second tuning mechanism504-2, a third tuning mechanism 504-3, and a fourth tuning mechanism504-4 (herein referred to as “tuning mechanisms 504”). The tuningmechanisms 504 can form an array or a plurality of tuning mechanisms aspart of the artificially-structured material 500. While the exampleartificially-structured material 500 shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated toinclude four tuning mechanisms 504, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 500 can include fewer than four tuningmechanisms or more than four tuning mechanisms. For example, theartificially-structured material 500 can include more than four tuningmechanisms that operate together as part of electromagnetic energytransmitters.

The tuning mechanisms 504 can each correspond to one or more elements inthe artificially-structured material 500. For example, the first tuningmechanism 504-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. only controloperational properties of, the first element 502-1. In another example,the first tuning mechanism 504-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. onlycontrol operational properties of, the first element 502-1 and thesecond element 502-2. While the tuning mechanisms 504 are shown to beseparate from the elements 502, the tuning mechanisms 504 can beincluded as part of the elements 502. For example, as the elements 502are fabricated, the tuning mechanisms 504 can be fabricated along withthe elements 502 as part of the elements 502.

Further, the tuning mechanisms 504 can function according to applicabletuning mechanisms for changing material properties of theartificially-structured material 500, such as the tuning mechanisms 104shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 504 can changematerial properties of the artificially-structured material 500 bychanging operational properties of the elements 502 on a per-elementbasis. For example, the tuning mechanisms 504 can change operationalproperties of the elements 502 on a per-element basis by changingresonant frequencies of the elements 502 on a per-element basis. Invarious embodiments, the tuning mechanisms 504 can change operationalproperties of the elements 502 on a per-element basis according tostimuli detected by applicable sensors, such as the sensors 106 shown inFIG. 1.

The example artificially-structured material 500 includes a firstindividual data store 506-1, a second individual data store 506-2, athird individual data store 506-3, and a fourth individual data store506-4 (herein referred to as “individual data stores 506”). Theindividual data stores 506 can be fabricated from data storage circuitryand form an array or a plurality of individual data stores 506 as partof the artificially-structured material 500. While the exampleartificially-structured material 500 shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated toinclude four individual data stores 506, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 500 can include fewer than fourindividual data stores or more than four individual data stores. Forexample, the artificially-structured material 500 can include more thanfour individual data stores that operate together as a transformationoptics device.

The individual data stores 506 can each correspond to one or moreelements in the artificially-structured material 500. For example, thefirst individual data store 506-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. beused to control operation of, the first element 502-1. In anotherexample, the first individual data store 506-1 can uniquely correspondto, e.g. be used to control operation of, the first element 502-1 andthe second element 502-2. While the individual data stores 506 are shownto be separate from the elements 502, the individual data stores 506 canbe included as part of the elements 502 and/or the tuning mechanisms504. For example, as the elements 502 are fabricated, the individualdata stores 506 can be fabricated in data storage circuitry along withthe elements 502 as part of the elements 502. In various embodiments,each element in the artificially-structured material 500 can have auniquely corresponding individual data store. For example, each elementin the artificially-structured material 500 can have a correspondingindividual data store formed as part of the element.

The individual data stores 506 can store data associated with one ormore sensors, e.g. sensors included as part of theartificially-structured material 500 such as the sensors 106 describedin the example artificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the individual data stores can store sensor input indicatingdetected stimuli. More specifically, the individual data stores 506 canstore sensor input received from a senor integrated as part of theartificially-structured material 500 through an interconnect connectingthe elements 502 to the sensor.

Additionally, the individual data stores 506 included as part of theartificially-structured material 500 can store programming/controlinstructions for controlling the tuning mechanisms 504 and elements 502.Programming instructions stored in the individual data stores 506 can beread-only instructions that do not change. Further, programminginstructions stored in the individual data stores 506 can be read/writeinstructions that are capable being written to or otherwise changed.More specifically, programming instructions stored in the individualdata stores 506 can change in response to one or a combination ofreceived sensor input, receive external/outside input, and inputreceived from the elements 502 in the artificially-structured material500. For example, the programming instructions can change in response tochanges made by the elements 502 to local intensities of waves ofenergy, as indicated by input received from the elements 502.

The tuning mechanisms 504 can change operational properties of theelements 502 on a per-element basis using data stored in the individualdata stores 506. Specifically, the tuning mechanisms 504 can changeoperational properties of the elements 502 on a per-element basis usingdata stored in the individual data stores 506 and received outsideinput. Additionally, the tuning mechanisms 504 can change operationalproperties of the elements 502 on a per-element basis using data storedin the individual data stores 506 and stimuli detected by sensors. Forexample, the tuning mechanisms 504 can control operational properties ofthe elements 502 based on characteristics of waves of energy processedby the artificially-structured material 500 and control instructions forprocessing the waves of energy, as indicated by data stored in theindividual data stores 506. Sensors used in controlling the tuningmechanisms 504 along with data stored in the individual data stores 506can be applicable sensors for detecting stimuli at theartificially-structured material 500, such as the sensors 106 in theexample artificially-structured material 100 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, sensors can be implemented at each of the elements 502 and usedby the tuning mechanisms 504, along with data stored in the individualdata stores 506, to control operational properties of the elements 502.

The elements 502 can determine, on a per-element basis, whether toprocess a specific wave of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 500 using data stored in the individual data stores 506. Forexample, a specific element of the elements 502 can determine whether toprocess a wave of energy at the specific element using data stored inone or more of the individual data stores 506. The elements 502 candetermine whether to process a wave of energy on a per-element basis atthe artificially-structured material 500 based on data stored in theindividual data stores 506 and characteristics of the wave of energy.For example, the first element 502-1 can determine by itself whether toprocess a wave of energy based on a wavelength of the wave and controlinstructions for processing waves as indicated by data stored in thefirst individual data store 502-6.

Further, the elements 502 can process a specific wave of energy based ona determination, made on a per-element basis, to process the specificwave of energy and data stored in the individual data stores 506. Morespecifically, the elements 502 can configure their correspondingoperational properties, on a per-element basis, to process the specificwave of energy if they determine to process the specific wave of energy.Subsequently, the elements 502 can process the specific wave after orduring configuration of their operational properties to process thespecific wave of energy. The elements 502 can determine how to configuretheir operational parameters for purposes of processing the specificwave using data stored in the individual data stores 506. Morespecifically, the elements 502 can determine how to configure theiroperational parameters in order to process the specific wave of energybased on characteristics of the wave of energy and data stored in theindividual data stores 506.

The elements 502 can determine whether and how to process a specificwave of energy, on a per-element basis, based on either or both stimulidetected by sensors and outside input, as included as part of datastored in the individual data stores 506. For example, the elements 502can determine, on a per-element basis, to process a specific wave ofenergy if outside input included as part of data stored in theindividual data stores 506 instructs the elements 502 to process thespecific wave of energy. In another example, the elements 502 candetermine, on a per-element basis, how to configure their operationalproperties based on a propagation direction of a specific wave of energydetected by a sensor, as indicated by data stored in the individual datastores 506.

Further, the elements 502 can perform signal processing on waves ofenergy at the artificially-structured material 500 using data stored inthe individual data stores 506. For example, the elements 502 canamplify signals in the waves of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 500 based on control instructions included as part of datastored in the individual data stores 506. The elements 502 can performsignal processing on waves of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 500 on a per-element basis using data stored in the individualdata stores 506. For example, the first element 502-1 can perform signalprocessing to a wave of energy that is or will be processed at the firstelement 502-1 according to control instructions stored in the individualdata store 506-1. In performing signal processing on waves of energy atthe artificially-structured material 500, the elements 502 can performnon-linear signal processing on the waves of energy according to datastored in the individual data stores 506. For example, the elements 502can perform non-linear filtering on waves of energy according to controlinstructions stored in the individual data stores 506.

The elements 502 can perform signal processing on waves of energy at theartificially-structured material 500 based on either or both stimulidetected by sensors and outside input, as indicated by data stored inthe individual data stores 506. For example, if outside input, includedas part of data stored in the individual data stores 506, indicates tofilter a specific signal, then the elements 502 can filter the specificsignal corresponding to a specific wave of energy at theartificially-structured material 500. In another example, if a sensordetects an amplitude of a wave of energy is below a threshold amount, asindicated by data stored in the individual data stores 506, then theelements 502 can amplify the wave of energy at theartificially-structured material 500.

The artificially-structured material 500 can include programmablecircuitry/programmable circuitry modules. The programmable circuitrymodules can function according to an applicable programmable circuitrymodule for controlling tuning mechanisms/elements in anartificially-structured material, such as the programmable circuitmodules 306 in the example artificially-structured material 300 shown inFIG. 3. The programmable circuitry can be included as part of an arrayof programmable circuitry modules, e.g. formed as part of the array ofelements 502.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing data stored in individual data stores at theartificially-structured material. At step 602, waves of energy arereceived at an artificially-structured material including an array ofelements and an array of tuning mechanisms. The tuning mechanisms can beapplicable tuning mechanisms for controlling operational properties ofthe elements on a per-element basis, such as the tuning mechanisms 504.The tuning mechanisms can be integrated as part of the array ofelements. Additionally, each tuning mechanism of the tuning mechanismscan be formed as part of a single element in the array of elements anduniquely correspond to the element in which it is integrated, therebypotentially allowing for per-element control of the array of elements.

At step 604, material properties of the artificially-structured materialare changed using tuning mechanisms in the array of tuning mechanismsand data stored in individual data stores at the artificially-structuredmaterial. More specifically, the material properties are changed bychanging operational properties of the elements in the array of elementsin the array of elements on a per-element basis using the data stored inthe individual data stores as part of processing the waves of energy atthe artificially-structured material. The individual data stores can beapplicable data stores for storing data used in changing operationalproperties of the elements on a per-element basis, such as theindividual data stores 506. The individual data stores can be includedas part of the array of elements. Additionally, each individual datastore can be formed as part of a single element in the array of elementsand uniquely correspond to the element in which it is integrated,thereby potentially allowing for per-element control of the array ofelements.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example artificially-structured material 700 withinterconnects. The artificially-structured material 700 includes a firstelement 702-1, a second element 702-2, a third element 702-3, and afourth element 702-4 (herein referred to as “elements 702”). Theelements 702 can form an array of elements as part of theartificially-structured material 700. While the exampleartificially-structured material 700 shown in FIG. 7 is illustrated toinclude four elements 702, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 700 can include fewer than fourelements or more than four elements. For example, theartificially-structured material 700 can include more than four elementsthat operate together as part of a transformation acoustic device.

The example artificially-structured material 700 shown in FIG. 7includes a first tuning mechanism 704-1, a second tuning mechanism704-2, a third tuning mechanism 704-3, and a fourth tuning mechanism704-4 (herein referred to as “tuning mechanisms 704”). The tuningmechanisms 704 can form an array or a plurality of tuning mechanisms aspart of the artificially-structured material 700. While the exampleartificially-structured material 700 shown in FIG. 7 is illustrated toinclude four tuning mechanisms 704, in certain embodiments, theartificially-structured material 700 can include fewer than four tuningmechanisms or more than four tuning mechanisms. For example, theartificially-structured material 700 can include more than four tuningmechanisms that operate together as part of electromagnetic energytransmitters.

The tuning mechanisms 704 can each correspond to one or more elements inthe artificially-structured material 700. For example, the first tuningmechanism 704-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. only controloperational properties of, the first element 702-1. In another example,the first tuning mechanism 704-1 can uniquely correspond to, e.g. onlycontrol operational properties of, the first element 702-1 and thesecond element 702-2. While the tuning mechanisms 704 are shown to beseparate from the elements 702, the tuning mechanisms 704 can beincluded as part of the elements 702. For example, as the elements 702are fabricated, the tuning mechanisms 704 can be fabricated along withthe elements 702 as part of the elements 702.

Further, the tuning mechanisms 704 can function according to applicabletuning mechanisms for changing material properties of theartificially-structured material 700, such as the tuning mechanisms 104shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the tuning mechanisms 704 can changematerial properties of the artificially-structured material 700 bychanging operational properties of the elements 702 on a per-elementbasis. For example, the tuning mechanisms 704 can change operationalproperties of the elements 702 on a per-element basis by changingresonant frequencies of the elements 702 on a per-element basis. Invarious embodiments, the tuning mechanisms 704 can change operationalproperties of the elements 702 on a per-element basis according tostimuli detected by applicable sensors, such as the sensors 106 shown inFIG. 1.

The example artificially-structured material 700 includes a firstinterconnect 706-1, a second interconnect 706-2, a third interconnect706-3, and a fourth interconnect 706-4 (herein referred to as“interconnects 706”). The interconnects 706 can function to couple oneor a combination of either or both the elements 702 and the tuningmechanisms 704 together. The interconnects 706 can connect one or aplurality of either or both the elements 702 and the tuning mechanisms704 together. For example the first interconnect 706-1 can connect thefirst and second elements 702-1 and 702-2 together.

The interconnects 706 can each correspond to one or more elements in theartificially-structured material 700. For example, the firstinterconnect 706-1 can uniquely correspond to the first element 702-1.In another example, the first interconnect 706-1 can uniquely correspondto the first element 702-1 and the second element 702-2. While theinterconnects 706 are shown to be separate from the elements 702, theinterconnects 706 can be included as part of the elements 702 and/or thetuning mechanisms 704. For example, as the elements 702 are fabricated,the interconnects 706 can be fabricated along with the elements 702,potentially as part of the elements 702. In various embodiments, eachelement in the artificially-structured material 700 can have a uniquelycorresponding interconnect. For example, each element in theartificially-structured material 700 can have a corresponding individualinterconnect formed as part of the element.

The interconnects 706 can be configured to transmit communicationsbetween either or both the elements 702 and the tuning mechanisms 704.For example, the first interconnect 706-1 can transmit communicationsbetween the first element 702-1 and the second elements 702-2.Communications transmitted by the interconnects 706 can includeoperational instructions for controlling operation of either or both theelements 702 and the tuning mechanisms 704. The interconnects 706 can beelectrical conductors configured to transmit communications between theelements 702. Further, the interconnects 706 can be waveguidesconfigured to transmit communications between either or both theelements 702 and the tuning mechanisms 704. While the interconnects 706are shown to couple the elements 702 together in the exampleartificially-structured material 700 shown in FIG. 7, the interconnects706 can also couple the tuning mechanisms 704 together.

The tuning mechanisms 704 can change operational properties of theelements 702 on a per-element basis using communications receivedthrough the interconnects 706 at either or both the elements 702 and thetuning mechanisms 704. Specifically, the tuning mechanisms 704 canchange operational properties of the elements 702 on a per-element basisusing data stored in the individual data stores 506 and received outsideinput. Additionally, the tuning mechanisms 704 can change operationalproperties of the elements 702 on a per-element basis using stimulidetected by sensors as communicated by the interconnects 706 as part ofsensor input. For example, the tuning mechanisms 704 can controloperational properties of the elements 702 based on characteristics ofwaves of energy processed by the artificially-structured material 700and control instructions for processing the waves of energy, asindicated by data received through the interconnects 706. Sensors usedin controlling the tuning mechanisms 704 can be applicable sensors fordetecting stimuli at the artificially-structured material 700, such asthe sensors 106 in the example artificially-structured material 100shown in FIG. 1. For example, sensors can be implemented at each of theelements 702 and/or the interconnects 706 and used by the tuningmechanisms 704 along with communications received through theinterconnects 706 to control operational properties of the elements 702.

The elements 702 can determine, on a per-element basis, whether toprocess a specific wave of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 700 based on communications transmitted by the interconnects706. For example, a specific element of the elements 702 can determinewhether to process a wave of energy at the specific element based oncommunications transmitted to and from the specific element through theinterconnects 706. The elements 702 can determine whether to process awave of energy on a per-element basis at the artificially-structuredmaterial 700 based on communications transmitted through theinterconnects 706 and characteristics of the wave of energy. Forexample, the first element 702-1 can determine by itself whether toprocess a wave of energy based on a wavelength of the wave and controlinstructions for processing waves transmitted to the first element 702-1through the first interconnect 706-1.

Further, the elements 702 can process a specific wave of energy based ona determination, made on a per-element basis, to process the specificwave of energy and communications transmitted to the elements 702through the interconnects 706. More specifically, the elements 702 canconfigure their corresponding operational properties, on a per-elementbasis, to process the specific wave of energy if they determine toprocess the specific wave of energy. Subsequently, the elements 702 canprocess the specific wave after or during configuration of theiroperational properties to process the specific wave of energy. Theelements 702 can determine how to configure their operational parametersfor purposes of processing the specific wave based on communicationstransmitted to and from the elements by the interconnects 706. Morespecifically, the elements 702 can determine how to configure theiroperational parameters in order to process the specific wave of energybased on characteristics of the wave of energy and control instructionstransmitted to the elements through the interconnects 706.

The elements 702 can determine whether and how to process a specificwave of energy, on a per-element basis, based on either or both stimulidetected by sensors, potentially included as part of the interconnects706 and outside input transmitted to the elements 702, potentiallythrough the interconnects 706. For example, the elements 702 candetermine, on a per-element basis, to process a specific wave of energyif outside input transmitted through the interconnects 706 instructs theelements 702 to process the specific wave of energy. In another example,the elements 702 can determine, on a per-element basis, how to configuretheir operational properties based on a propagation direction of aspecific wave of energy detected by a sensor, as indicated bycommunications transmitted to the elements 702 through theinterconnects.

Additionally, the elements 702 can perform signal processing on waves ofenergy at the artificially-structured material 500 using communicationstransmitted by the interconnects 706. For example, the elements 702 canamplify signals in the waves of energy at the artificially-structuredmaterial 700 based on control instructions transmitted through theinterconnects 706. The elements 702 can perform signal processing onwaves of energy at the artificially-structured material 700 on aper-element basis using communications transmitted by the interconnects706. For example, the first element 702-1 can perform signal processingto a wave of energy that is or will be processed at the first element702-1 according to control instructions received through the firstinterconnect 706-1. In performing signal processing on waves of energyat the artificially-structured material 700, the elements 702 canperform non-linear signal processing on the waves of energy according tocommunications transmitted by the interconnects 706. For example, theelements 702 can perform non-linear filtering on waves of energyaccording to control instructions transmitted through the interconnects706.

The elements 702 can perform signal processing on waves of energy at theartificially-structured material 700 based on either or both stimulidetected by sensors and outside input, as transmitted by theinterconnects 706. For example, if outside input, included as part ofdata transmitted by the interconnects 706, indicates to filter aspecific signal, then the elements 702 can filter the specific signalcorresponding to a specific wave of energy at theartificially-structured material 700. In another example, if a sensordetects an amplitude of a wave of energy is below a threshold amount, asindicated by data transmitted through the interconnects 706, then theelements 702 can amplify the wave of energy at theartificially-structured material 700 based on the transmitted data.

The artificially-structured material 700 can include programmablecircuitry modules. Further, the interconnects 706 can transmitprogramming instructions for programming the programmable circuitrymodules. For example, the interconnects 706 can transmit control rules,as part of programming instructions, which can subsequently beprogrammed into the programmable circuitry modules for use incontrolling the elements 702 and/or tuning mechanisms 704.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of an example method of changing materialproperties of an artificially-structured material on a per-element basisusing data stored in individual data stores at theartificially-structured material. At step 802, waves of energy arereceived at an artificially-structured material including an array ofelements and an array of tuning mechanisms. The tuning mechanisms can beapplicable tuning mechanisms for controlling operational properties ofthe elements on a per-element basis, such as the tuning mechanisms 704.The tuning mechanisms can be integrated as part of the array ofelements. Additionally, each tuning mechanism of the tuning mechanismscan be formed as part of a single element in the array of elements anduniquely correspond to the element in which it is integrated, therebypotentially allowing for per-element control of the array of elements.

At step 804, material properties of the artificially-structured materialare changed using tuning mechanisms in the array of tuning mechanismsand communications transmitted to the elements by interconnects. Morespecifically, the material properties are changed by changingoperational properties of the elements in the array of elements in thearray of elements on a per-element basis using the communicationstransmitted to the elements through the interconnects as part ofprocessing the waves of energy at the artificially-structured material.The interconnects can be applicable interconnects for transmittingcommunications to the elements, such as the interconnects 706. Eachinterconnect can uniquely correspond to a single element in the array ofelements and be used to transmit communications to and from the singleelement, thereby potentially allowing for per-element control of thearray of elements.

This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplaryembodiments including the best mode. However, those skilled in the artwill recognize that changes and modifications may be made to theexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, various operational steps, as well ascomponents for carrying out operational steps, may be implemented inalternate ways depending upon the particular application or inconsideration of any number of cost functions associated with theoperation of the system, e.g., one or more of the steps may be deleted,modified, or combined with other steps.

While the principles of this disclosure have been shown in variousembodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements, proportions,elements, materials, and components, which are particularly adapted fora specific environment and operating requirements, may be used withoutdeparting from the principles and scope of this disclosure. These andother changes or modifications are intended to be included within thescope of the present disclosure.

The foregoing specification has been described with reference to variousembodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat various modifications and changes can be made without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosureis to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense,and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scopethereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problemshave been described above with regard to various embodiments. However,benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, a required, or anessential feature or element. As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” and any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, a method, an article, oran apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include onlythose elements but may include other elements not expressly listed orinherent to such process, method, system, article, or apparatus. Also,as used herein, the terms “coupled,” “coupling,” and any other variationthereof are intended to cover a physical connection, an electricalconnection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, acommunicative connection, a functional connection, and/or any otherconnection.

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may bemade to the details of the above-described embodiments without departingfrom the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of thepresent invention should, therefore, be determined only by the followingclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: an array of elementsforming an artificially-structured material, at least a portion of thearray of elements connected through one or more interconnects; and anarray of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements,wherein one or more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuning mechanismsare configured to change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalproperties of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis using communications transmitted between the pluralityof elements to the one or more elements through the one or moreinterconnects, wherein the communications include sensor input generatedby one or more sensors.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore interconnects are electrical conductors configured to transmit thecommunications through electrical signals.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more interconnects are optical waveguides configuredto transmit the communications through optical signals.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein specific portions of the one or more interconnectscorrespond to one specific element in the array of elements.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein each tuning mechanism in the array of tuningmechanisms corresponds to one element in the array of elements.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change the one or more operational properties of the oneor more elements of the array of elements on a per-element basis bychanging one or more resonant frequencies of the one or more elements ona per-element basis.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or moretuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or more resonantfrequencies of the one or more elements by changing capacitances of theone or more elements.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or moretuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or more resonantfrequencies of the one or more elements by changing inductances of theone or more elements.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or moretuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or more resonantfrequencies of the one or more elements by changing relative positionsbetween two or more sites within each element of the one or moreelements.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more tuningmechanisms are configured to change the one or more resonant frequenciesof the one or more elements by changing relative orientations betweentwo or more sites within each element of the one or more elements. 11.The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change the one or more resonant frequencies of the one ormore elements by changing either or both relative positions and relativeorientations between a capacitive component and an inductive componentwithin each element of the one or more elements.
 12. The system of claim6, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms are configured to changethe one or more resonant frequencies of the one or more elements byadding or removing mass from each element of the one or more elements tochange an overall mass of the each element of the one or more elements.13. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change the one or more resonant frequencies of the one ormore elements by changing one or more physical positions of the one ormore elements.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or moretuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or more physicalpositions of the one or more elements on a micrometer scale.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change the one or more physical positions of the one ormore elements on a scale smaller than that of a wave of energy for whichthe element is resonant.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the one ormore tuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or more physicalpositions of the one or more elements on a scale less than 10% than thatof a wave of energy for which the element is resonant.
 17. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms are configured tochange the one or more operational properties of the one or moreelements of the array of the elements on a per-element basis byquenching a wave response of the one or more elements on a per-elementbasis.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more tuningmechanisms are configured to change the one or more operationalproperties of the one or more elements to change one or morecharacteristics of one or more waves of energy processed by theartificially-structured material.
 19. The system of claim 18, whereinthe one or more characteristics of the one or more waves of energychanged by changing the one or more operational properties of the one ormore elements include wavelengths of the one or more waves of energy.20. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more characteristics ofthe one or more waves of energy changed by changing the one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements include either orboth phases and amplitudes of the one or more waves of energy.
 21. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the one or more characteristics of the oneor more waves of energy changed by changing the one or more operationalproperties of the one or more elements include polarizations of the oneor more waves of energy.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the one ormore characteristics of the one or more waves of energy changed bychanging the one or more operational properties of the one or moreelements include propagation directions of the one or more waves ofenergy.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or morecharacteristics of the one or more waves of energy changed by changingthe one or more operational properties of the one or more elementsinclude absorption characteristics of the one or more waves of energy.24. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change the one or more operational properties of the oneor more elements using the data stored in the one or more individualdata stores in response to one or more stimuli detected by one or moresensors in a plurality of sensors included in the array of tuningmechanisms.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein each sensor in theplurality of sensors corresponds to one element in the array ofelements.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the one or more stimulidetected by the one or more sensors include characteristics of one ormore waves of energy processed by the artificially-structured material.27. The system of claim 26, wherein the characteristics of the one ormore waves of energy include at least one of wavelengths, phases, localintensity, polarization, and propagation directions of the one or morewaves of energy processed by the artificially-structured material. 28.The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more elements are furtherconfigured to: determine, on a per-element basis using thecommunications transmitted between the one or more tuning mechanismsusing the one or more interconnects, whether to process a specific waveof energy at the artificially-structured material; and process thespecific wave energy by changing the one or more operational propertiesof the one or more elements using the one or more tuning mechanisms ifit is determined to process the specific wave of energy.
 29. The systemof claim 28, wherein the one or more elements are further configured todetermine, on a per-element basis using the communications transmittedbetween the one or more tuning mechanisms using the one or moreinterconnects, whether to process the specific wave of energy based oncharacteristics of the specific wave of energy.
 30. The system of claim28, wherein the one or more elements are further configured to processthe specific wave of energy, using the communications transmittedbetween the one or more tuning mechanisms using the one or moreinterconnects, based on characteristics of the specific wave of energy.31. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more elements are furtherconfigured to determine, on a per-element basis using the communicationstransmitted between the one or more tuning mechanisms using the one ormore interconnects, whether to process the specific wave of energy basedon one or more stimuli detected by one or more sensors included as partof the array of elements.
 32. The system of claim 28, wherein the one ormore elements are further configured to determine, on a per-elementbasis using the communications transmitted between the one or moretuning mechanisms using the one or more interconnects, whether toprocess the specific wave of energy based on received outside input. 33.The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more elements are furtherconfigured to perform signal processing on waves of energy processed atthe artificially-structured material at the array of elements on aper-element basis using the communications transmitted between the oneor more tuning mechanisms using the one or more interconnects.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33, wherein the one or more elements are furtherconfigured to perform the signal processing on the one or more waves ofenergy based on one or more stimuli detected by one or more sensors in aplurality of sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms and thecommunications transmitted between the one or more tuning mechanismsusing the one or more interconnects.
 35. The system of claim 33, whereinthe one or more elements are further configured to perform the signalprocessing on the one or more waves of energy based on received outsideinput and the communications transmitted between the one or more tuningmechanisms using the one or more interconnects.
 36. The system of claim33, wherein the one or more elements are further configured to performnon-linear signal processing on waves of energy processed at theartificially-structured material at the array of elements on aper-element basis using the communications transmitted between the oneor more tuning mechanisms using the one or more interconnects.
 37. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more elements include programmablecircuitry.
 38. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or moreinterconnects include at least one of programmable circuitry, storagecircuitry, and a sensor.
 39. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore interconnects are configuration to transmit the communicationscomprising programming instructions for programming one or moreprogrammable circuitry models included as part of the one or moreelements.
 40. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or moreinterconnects are configured to transmit the communications comprisingoperational instructions for controlling operation of the one or moretuning mechanisms.
 41. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one ormore interconnects is configured to connect a first element of the arrayof elements to a second element of the array of elements.
 42. A methodcomprising: receiving one or more waves of energy at anartificially-structured material including an array of elements, whereinthe array of elements include an array of tuning mechanisms and at leasta portion of the array of elements are connected through one or moreinterconnects; and changing material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalproperties of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis using communications transmitted to the one or moreelements through the array of elements using the one or moreinterconnects as part of processing the one or more waves of energy atthe artificially-structured material on a per-element basis, wherein thecommunications include sensor input generated by one or more sensors.43. The method of claim 42, wherein the sensor input includes one ormore stimuli detected by the one or more sensors and the one or morestimuli include characteristics of one or more waves of energy processedby the artificially-structured material.
 44. A system comprising: anarray of elements forming an artificially-structured material, at leasta portion of the array of elements connected through one or moreinterconnects; and an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of thearray of elements, wherein one or more tuning mechanisms of the array oftuning mechanisms are configured to change material properties of theartificially-structured material by changing one or more operationalproperties of one or more elements of the array of elements on aper-element basis using communications transmitted between the pluralityof elements to the one or more elements through the one or moreinterconnects, wherein the one or more interconnects are opticalwaveguides configured to transmit the communications through opticalsignals.
 45. A system comprising: an array of elements forming anartificially-structured material, at least a portion of the array ofelements connected through one or more interconnects; and an array oftuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements, wherein oneor more tuning mechanisms of the array of tuning mechanisms areconfigured to change material properties of the artificially-structuredmaterial by changing one or more operational properties of one or moreelements of the array of elements on a per-element basis usingcommunications transmitted between the plurality of elements to the oneor more elements through the one or more interconnects, wherein the oneor more tuning mechanisms are configured to change the one or moreoperational properties of the one or more elements of the array ofelements on a per-element basis by changing one or more resonantfrequencies of the one or more elements on a per-element basis, andwherein the one or more tuning mechanisms are configured to change theone or more resonant frequencies of the one or more elements by changingrelative positions between two or more sites within each element of theone or more elements.